War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
In August, 1964, three North Vietnamese gunboats attacked an American destroyer. This incident was followed by a perceived (but imaginary) second attack. These attacks, although one was not real, led to the US Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized the president to take “all necessary measures to repel armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.” Johnson then authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive and ongoing bombing of North Vietnam. He also decided to send the first American ground troops to South Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In early 1963, the Viet Cong decisively defeated an attacking ARVN force at the Battle of Ap Bac, proving that the guerrillas were a force to be reckoned with. During that same year, much of South Vietnam fell under Viet Cong control, while most of the rest of the country descended into chaos. South Vietnamese cities saw an increasing number of protests, many of which were brutally put down by the Diem regime. Ultimately, Diem was assassinated, and a junta of generals took control. In November, U. S. president John F. Kennedy also fell victim to an assassin’s bullet and was replaced by Lyndon Johnson. What effect on the war would the changes in leadership have? Listen, and Sean and James will let you know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1959, the government of North Vietnam, now under the direction of Communist Party Chairman Le Duan, decided to initiate a war with the South Vietnamese government led by Ngo Dinh Diem. To help fight Diem’s regime, the North Vietnamese facilitated the formation of a National Liberation Front (later dubbed the Viet Cong by the South Vietnamese government). The NLF/VC began a campaign of terror and assassinations that threatened to bring down the South Vietnamese government. Meanwhile, new U. S. President John F. Kennedy began increasing the number of American military advisors in South Vietnam. Join Sean and James as they discuss this key turning point of the war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After the Second World War, France decided to reassert control over French Indochina. This policy met strong resistance from both Communist and right-wing political and military organizations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Resistance grew, leading to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). This conflict ended with the Geneva Agreements, in which the French agreed to depart, the country would be temporarily divided between a Communist North and a non-Commuist south, and elections would be held in 1956…or would they? Join Sean and James as they discuss this “war before the war” that is little known to westerners but is a crucial prelude to the more well-known Vietnam War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Sean McIver returns to join James and to help kick off a new series on the Vietnam War. Sean and James give an overview of Vietnamese history from its beginning down through the period of French domination, the Japanese conquest during WW2, and the fight for control of Vietnam after WW2.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Sean and James complete their discussion of the top 10 Allied fighters of World War II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, James and frequent guest Sean McIver count down the ten best Allied fighter planes of World War II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In any war, being taken prisoner is a traumatic experience, and the Korean War was no exception. In this episode, James discusses the experiences of Korean War POWs on both sides.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, James gives a summary of the crucial role played by the U.S. and allied navies, including transport, supply, naval air operations, special forces operations, and naval support of ground operations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, James presents an overview of the air war over Korea, including the transition from propeller-driven planes to jets, the strategic bombing campaign, the experience of individual pilots, and the key role of helicopters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
